Lois Jean Dedeaux McClellan, the mother of U.S. Congresswoman, Jennifer McClellan, died on Friday, May 24, 2024. She was 91.

McClellan was a resident of Chesterfield County and a native of the Gulf Coast town of DeLisle, Miss. was the first member of her family to attend and graduate from high school. She later graduated from Jackson State University in 1957 with a bachelor’s in home economics and earned a master’s at the University of Kentucky, where she was the only woman and sole African-American student in her class. McClellan worked in higher education for the majority of her career, retiring as director of educational services at Virginia State University.

“My mother, Lois McClellan,” said Congresswoman McClellan, “lived a wonderful and fulfilling life. Born during the Great Depression in the Jim Crow South, she became a role model to three loving daughters, five grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. She loved to joke that she was half responsible for me, and was proud to see her youngest child sworn in as the first Black congresswoman from Virginia.”

McClellan was a Life Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, a member of the Petersburg Chapter of Jack & Jill of America, a Girl Scout troop leader and member of the Chesterfield County Democratic Committee.

She is survived by three daughters, Dr. Jean E. McClellan-Holt of Chesapeake, Julie D. McClellan of Midlothian and Jennifer L. McClellan of Richmond. Congresswoman McClellan represents Virginia’s 4th District in the U.S. House of Representatives – the first African-American woman elected from the Commonwealth of Virginia.

“While she will be greatly missed,” Congresswoman McClellan continued, “we take comfort in the love and support shown by so many whose lives she touched, and knowing that she is now reunited with our father and her beloved husband (of 54 years), James F. McClellan, Jr.”

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in the name of Lois D. McClellan to the Delta Community Service Foundation, P.O. Box 853, Petersburg, Va. 23805.